2.91k reviews for:

Welcome to Night Vale

Joseph Fink

3.85 AVERAGE


Enjoyed this a lot, I’m not sure I would’ve if I hadn’t listened to the podcast - it’s very random!

My older brother introduced me to the Welcome to Night Vale podcast when I was in middle school. It was something we both enjoyed and quoted fairly often.

My life has been stressful lately. It's been wonderful and comforting to fall into the familiar absurdity of Night Vale.

As the Night Vale books are just separate stories taking place in Night Vale you can pick up whichever you want. I think I still like It Devours more. But this story was really solid and made .e smile
holioli's profile picture

holioli's review

3.0

2.5⭐️ this book was absurd. I could not stop rolling my eyes.

what the heck did I just read? I loved every minute of this zany ride!

(actual rating: 2.5 stars)
dnfed after like 200 pages. this is actually the first book in nearly 2 years i haven't been able to finish, even though i've read comparatively worse books in that time. this book was just so boring, giving it two stars because there wasn't anything i really hated, but i enjoyed very little of it. this book honestly tried so hard to be different and quirky and did not work for me at all. this is literally the writing style in like every other sentence:
She went to sleep (like most people) and dreamt of murderous cacti (like most people).
also i haven't listened to the podcast this book is based off of so maybe that was one of the reasons i didn't really appreciate the eccentric style.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Okay, let’s kick off with the obvious. This is a novel based on the hugely popular podcast Welcome to Night Vale.

Now I haven’t listened to a whole lot of episodes, and in fact I’m pretty far behind. There were some references and character development I was not yet aware of. Not a big deal though, because I had the most important thing. A strong grasp on the world of Night Vale.

This book’s reviews are a mixed bag, but let’s focus on the reviews in the forefront: people who haven’t actually listened to the podcast. You can totally read this book without listening to the podcast, as some have done and enjoyed doing so. But the majority of those who walk into this book blind feel they have wasted their time. Many reviewers complain of the confusing narration that often veers of course for pages at a time or the confusing and ridiculous laws and customs of this desert town. Understandable. But this book is truly different, and you might not want to experience it blind. This is an extremely specific demographic.

I’m not saying you have to wait until you finish all past podcast episodes. You don’t have to listen to any, in fact. But I implore you to take 20 minutes during your commute or break time to listen to the first episode. You’ll know very quickly whether or not this book is your cup of tea.

Now that I’ve begged you to actually think before you read, let’s move on to my grievances.
I thought the plot structure/pacing could definitely use some work, but it’s not really enough to warrant a 4-star review, I think. I get that drastic changes in the pace of the narration is in the spirit of the show, but I didn’t think it translated very well to a novel.

I thought the characters were written well, but Jackie’s dialogue could have been slightly less annoying. Her inner-monologue is fine. Her spoken and constant use of the words “dude” and “man” was a little cringe-worthy though, and they weren’t placed in the sentences with the least amount of eloquence. It’s like they sprinkled a salt-shaker of “youth slang” over Jackie’s dialogue.

Highlights:
• Female friendship with no petty drama, fallout, or romance.
• The repetition of phrases used in a clever and refreshing way. I wasn’t thinking “Ugh they’ve used that metaphor three times already!” but instead got the strangest and most engaging sense of déjà vu.
• The ending was truly so fantastic I can’t put it into words. It was surprisingly heartwarming and emotional. I was delighted.
• The complete uniqueness that was this book. It’s shamelessly different and a welcomed breath of fresh air.

Honorable mentions:
The No Country for Old Men joke was fantastic
• The Faceless Old Woman arrived with a dash of comedic relief
• Steve Carlsburggggg!!!!

Closing words:
I think this novel is something truly special. Whether you're reading this book as an obsessed fan or as someone completely new to Night Vale, I genuinely hope you get the most out of it.

English Review below.

يجب أن تكون قارئا من نوع محدد لتحب هذا الكتاب، أولا أن تكون عندك فكرة عن البودكاست بنفس الاسم المستوحى منه اسم الرواية والمدينة (مش بالضرورة تكون سمعت الحلقات، لأني مسمعتهاش، بس تكون عارف الفكرة الرئيسية وهي أنه بيتكلم عن أحداث غريبة بتدور في مدينة نايت فيل المعزولة)، وكمان لازم تكون من القراء اللي يقدروا يتقبلوا أي تفاصيل أو قصص غريبة أو غرائبية لأن الرواية دي مليئة بيها.

دي رواية عن لغز وفيها بعض الرعب والكثير من الكوميديا وكمان شوية فلسفة وأفكار عميقة، عن مدينة نايت فيل اللي فيها ملائكة ومخلوقات فضائية وعوالم موازية ومؤامرات وكل شيء غريب تقريبا. بنتتبع لغز عن طريق البطلتين الرئيستيين دايان وجاكي وهما بيحاولوا يحلوا لغز مدينة نايت فيل وعلاقتها بمدينة كينغ سيتي ولغز الناس اللي بتختفي والذاكرة اللي بيتم التلاعب بيها، وبنبدأ نكتشف اللغز معاهم وبيبدو أنهم الوحيدتين اللي ملاحظين الأحداث الغريبة.
الرواية دي عاملة زي فيلم خيال علمي ومغامرة رائعة ومش محتاجين تفاصيل أكتر من كده عشان تقروها، محتاجين بس تتقبلوا التفاصيل الغرائبية اللي فيها. وأعتقد أني أقدر أشبه الرواية دي بكارتون "غرافيتي فولز" اللي فكرني بيه جدا.

You really have to be a specific type of reader to love this book. First, you need to have some background about the podcast it's adapted from, not necessarily having listened to the episodes (I haven't) but just knowing that it's a podcast about a secluded town where bizarre things happen. Second, you need to be able to suspend your belief, and welcome any bizarre details they throw your way, because there's a lot of them.

It's a mystery novel with a touch of horror and a lot of sarcasm and humor and philosophy and deep thoughts, about the town of Night Vale, where there are aliens, angels, multiple dimensions, government conspiracies, everything really. We follow a mystery centering on our two main female characters, Diane and Jackie, as they start trying to solve the mystery in Night Vale and its relation to another city called King City, and how it seems like they're the only two noticing what's happening.

It's a wonderful adventure and it's best not go into it knowing anything more than this. you just need to let the authors take you in this ride. I would say that if you loved Gravity Falls, you'd definitely love this book, as it feels the more adult version of that cartoon.
adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes